Arena petition gets 3,000 signatures

Plans for Hull City to install an indoor pitch at the Airco Arena have been opposed by more than 3,000 people in a petition.

Trampolinists, netballers and wrestlers are among those who fear they will be left with nowhere to practise if the move goes ahead.

The Tigers plan to open an artificial indoor pitch in a bid to improve the rating of its academy team.

But campaigners claim this will leave many sports organisations without a home, having reportedly been left with only a month to leave.

The football club vowed it will attempt to find displaced sides new homes.

Next Generation wrestlers, Hull High Fliers trampolinists, Hulls Angels roller derby club and Yorkshire Jets Superleague netball team look to be among the casualties.

The Fliers’ Julie Williams said that team members would need venues with a ceiling at least 8m high, while Next Generation’s Richard Dunn said he did not expect to find an equivalent location.

Hull City’s James Mooney called the situation “really unfortunate”, but said that it could apply for an enhanced academy status rating by fitting the new synthetic pitch. Mr Mooney said Hull would try to help the clubs relocate.